Though LeBron James has played more seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (11), his Los Angeles Lakers tenure, which came to a close today, has been the lengthiest consecutive residency of the phenom’s phenomenal NBA career.
James, the game’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion (with three different franchises), and a 22-time NBA All-Star, informed the Lakers on Tuesday he would be leaving the team but not retiring.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers — including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold,” Lakers president Jeanie Buss said in a statement posted to the team’s official Instagram account. “We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
James is probably not leaving California, however, as his most-likely destination is one last run with his pal Stephon Curry (GOAT) up in Mission Bay. Curry, like James, has four NBA Championships, a 2024 Olympic gold medal (James has three), and one full foot in Hollywood as a producer and occasional actor.
